TOURE TIPS DJOUROU TO BE FUTURE STAR
By Jim van Wijk, PA Sport
Kolo Toure is convinced fellow Arsenal centre-half Johan Djourou can develop into one of the best defenders around.
The 19-year-old Switzerland international has performed admirably after being handed an extended run in the first team by manager Arsene Wenger following injury to Philippe Senderos and the departure of veteran Sol Campbell.
Alongside Toure at the heart of the Arsenal backline, Djourou helped the Gunners keep a clean sheet at Manchester United as they recorded a first Barclays Premiership win of the season last weekend.
With experienced Frenchman William Gallas being utilised at left-back following his deadline-day switch from Chelsea, Djourou is likely to again feature in tomorrow's clash with struggling Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium.
Toure feels the youngster can only improve with more regular first-team action.
He said: "Johan is young, but is doing well. The only thing he needs right now is games. The more you play, the more experienced you get - against different opposition as well.
"He has played in both the Champions League and the Premiership and that is good for his development.
"Johan is a fighter on the pitch, the supporters can see that, and he always does his best.
"He will grow up a good player, with a lot of quality - for Arsenal he just needs more games under his belt."
Wenger will complete 10 years at the Gunners next week.
During his tenure, the French coach has collected three league titles and won the FA Cup four times, his side taking the double in 1998 and 2002.
The Gunners marked the end of the Highbury era by reaching the Champions League final, with Wenger showing little sign of allowing his hunger for success to diminish.
Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman believes it is Wenger's ability to nurture fledging talent into world-class performers which will be his greatest legacy.
Edelman said: "I think the most significant thing Arsene has contributed is that he has managed to develop the players.
"If you have endless resources, you can always go and buy the best talent in the world.
"To actually develop talent is a real skill and I believe if you look at the players Arsene had taken, a lot of whom none of us had heard of before, and developed them into world-class stars, that is a real management skill which should be respected by everybody."
Wenger is set to have captain Thierry Henry back this weekend after missing the Champions League win in Hamburg and the Manchester United match with a foot injury.
Forward Robin Van Persie(hip)is a concern while Senderos(shoulder), Gael Clichy(foot), Lauren(knee)and Abou Diaby(ankle)are all still a few weeks away from a return.
